Clutch construction



Dec.` 9,l 1930.l

J. R. CARICKHOFF 1,784,722

CLUTCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Nev.` 22. 192s 2 Sheets-Sheet l gmc/nm v l l 32H3 f Il- @19h01/nego.

Dec. 9, 1930. J, R. cARlcKHol-'F 1,784,722

CLUTCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 22,- 1928 r 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Dec. 9, 1930 STATES PATENT AFFICE CLUTCH CONSTRUCTION Application led November 22, 1928. Serial No. 321,218.

This invention relates to clutches for motor vehicles, and aims to whereby the drive sha may be automatically di provide novel means ft and clutch shaft sconnected to permit the rear wheels and drive shaft to run free, thereby reducing strain on the connecting rods and clutch shaft to the minimum.

An important object of the invention is to provide an overrunning clutch so that the direct drive high speed clutch of a transmission may be automatically locked to the clutch shaft when the clutch shaft is moving faster than the drive sl release the direct iaft, but which will drive high speed clutch when the drive shaft overruns the clutch shaft.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character, which may be installed as a part of the usual transmission construction, 4eliminating the necessity of making extensive alterations 1n the transmission construction vice.

to install the descope of what is claimed,

without departing from the spirit of the invention. Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional View through a transmission housing illustrating a. clutching mechanism constructed in accordance with the invention, as mounted on the clutch shaft. Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view Figure 3 is a sectiona 3 3 of Figure 2.

1. through the drive end of the clutch shaft.

l vview taken on line Figure t is a sectional view taken on line 1-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the bushinginserted in one end of the clutch shaft'.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the reference character 5 designates actransmis sion housing in which th gearing is mounted.

e usual change speed 6 and is adapt-ed to engage the internal teeth 11 of the gear 12 which is splined on the drive shaft 9 to directly connect the clutch shaft 6 and drive shaft 9 when the motor is running in high speed.

As clearly shownby Figure 3 of the drawings, the inner end of the clutch shaft 6 is cut away defining pockets 13 in which the rollers 14 are positioned. Pins 15 are positioned within the pockets 13, the pins acting as supports for the coiled springs positioned in the pockets, which springs normally act to urge the rollers 14 outwardly into engagement with the inner surface of the. high speed clutch member 10, and providing what is commonly known as an overrunning clutch.

The bushing 7 is formed with a fiange 16 at its outer end, which flange is of a width to completely cover the cut out portions 13 and to overlie one edge of the direct drive high speed clutch member 10 to hold the clutch member 10 onthe clutch shaft 6. u

Should it be desired to eliminate the action of the overrunning clutch, as for example during city driving wherein traffic is congested, it is only necessary to move the gear 12 to the limit of its forward movement to cause the gear 12 tg move over the high speed clutch member 1G and connect with the gear 17 whereupon a direct drive will be provided through the gears 12 and 17.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that when the clutch shaft Gis rotated at a greater speed than the drive shaft 9, providing the gear 12 is moved to engage the direct high speed clutch member` 10, the rollers 14 will be thrown outwardly or into engagement with the inner surface of the high speed clutch member 10 locking the high speed clutch member 10 to the clutch shaft 6, to`drive the shaft 9 which in turn transmits movement to the rear axle of the motor vehicle to propel the motor vehicle.

When the drive shaft 9 rotates at a greater rate of speed than the clutch shaft, due to 5 the motor vehicle drifting down a grade, it is obvious that, the rollers 14 will be moved inwardly, and the drive shaft 9 permitted to r0- tate independently of the clutch shaft 6, relieving the crank shaft and connecting rods o of the engine of undue strain.

I claim: Ina transmission, a clutch shaft, a tubular bushing Within the free end of the clutch shaft, said bushing having a ange resting 3 3 against one end of the clutch shaft, a direct drive high speed clutch member on the clutch shaft, said clutch shaft having recesses formed in one' end thereof, roller clutch members in the recesses and engaging the direct y drive high speed clutch member for locking the direct drive high speed clutch member to the clutch shaft, said ange ofthe bushing covering the recesses, a drive shaft having one-end thereof disposed in the bushing to ro- 'f tate therein, and means for transmitting movement of the drive shaft to the direct drive speed clutch member.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aiixed my signature. JAMES ROBERT CARICKHOFF. 

